General Home Repair

The following instructions for fixing garage door springs are for do-it-yourself homeowners and for maintenance repair men who service their smaller commerical overhead doors. They are written to...

Having a deadbolt lock on your door can give you added protection that a door handle lock does not. If your deadbolt is not functioning properly you may be tempted to buy a new one. You will then...

Home repairs and remodeling projects often require the use of a contractor, someone with the skill set to complete the job right. However, when you're on a budget, finding someone suitable isn't...

If you have borrowed a power washer and have discovered it leaks, don't get frustrated or surprised. Power washer leaks are common. A few specific areas on a power washer unit are more prone to...

Caulking refers to the process of applying a sealant to exposed seams, joints or gaps on various surfaces. The purpose of caulk on indoor and outdoor applications is to provide insulation that...

If you need just a little more space to squeeze a piece of furniture through a doorway, the first thing to try is removing the door from the hinges. Unless the door can swing open 180 degrees,...

Reusing old hardware is a great way to save money on a remodel. Giving them a fresh coat of paint can really make your pulls and hinges pop. Depending on the current condition of your old...

Plastic pipes require just as much maintenance and reinforcement as other galvanized piping. Sealing plastic pipe threads prevents leakage, contamination and friction that can result in an...

Bathtub finishes will eventually wear, become dull and otherwise lose their bright, clean appearance. With a refinishing kit, the homeowner may save much of the costs involved by doing the work...

Ceramic tile allows you to create designs you imagine for floors, walls and countertops. The broad range of shapes, styles and colors means the the final layout is restricted only by your...

Caulk is a sealant used to fill exposed seams on both interior and exterior applications. The versatile compound is available in different forms that are suited for particular types of projects....

Vertical blinds are popular and cost-effective coverings for big windows and sliding-glass doors. However, vinyl vertical blind slats, also known as vanes, are susceptible to cracking and...

A downspout drains water from a gutter. When you add a downspout to an existing gutter, it probably means you are not happy with the drainage of your current system. You can also add another...

Whether it is gas or electric, every dryer will need to have both sufficient ventilation and a good exhaust system in order to operate safely and efficiently. The installation process for running...

If the hot water coming out of your faucet is cold or only warm, something is preventing the heating elements inside the water heater from doing their job. Troubleshooting the water heater is...

A downspout drains water from a gutter to a lower level. Most gutters come with holes for downspouts already in place, but at times you may add an extra downspout to distribute the flow of the...

Mold, alive or dead, is bad for a household. It thrives in the places you are not likely to see it, growing in dark, wet places behind and in between things. Getting rid of mold is not hard, so...

In professional salons, porcelain tends to be the material of choice for sinks. It doesn't stain easily from hair color dyes. Fiberglass, on the other hand, does get stained by the dyes. Although...

Basements are a prime entry point for insects because many invading pests primarily crawl, such as ants, roaches, beetles, silverfish, and spiders. By spending as little as one hour you can keep...

Oil seals come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are often referred to as gaskets, o-rings, packing, or swivel seals and can be made of such things as rubber, cork, composites, and even...

Wood houses can be very charming, and it's a lucky person who finds an old Craftsman bungalow or another character-filled wood house to love. Finding a wood house that is in good condition can be...

Heating ducts can make for an unattractive ceiling in your basement. Hanging lower than the ceiling and made of galvanized metal, they are unappealing next to your nicely painted drywall ceiling....

Fiberglass pools are common because of the strength and durability of the fiberglass, but pools, no matter what they're made from, will get punctures or cracks in them over time from normal wear...

You can calculate how much electricity a device or appliance uses with a little bit of research and a stopwatch. The formula is called Watt's Law. Watt's Law defines the relationship between...

If properly designed and built, handcrafted log homes are one of the most beautiful and enduring forms of home construction. Unfortunately, without proper maintenance, age and natural elements can...

Before you re-install a toilet you must purchase a new wax ring and new closet bolts.

Ultraviolet (UV) lamps are built into many air conditioners and air filters to kill airborne mold, a common type of fungus in households. Their usefulness is limited, however, since mold can pass...

Wood fillers are commonly used in many aspects of woodworking and home repair to fill nail holes, hide screws and cover dents in the wood. Once applied, a wood filler needs to be sanded so that it...

Stone foundations are common in older homes and add a touch rarely seen in modern home designs. While these old stone foundations are attractive, many have aged to the point that they require...

Once the tiles are in place on a tub surround, the next step is to waterproof the area to ensure water does not seep behind the tub. Waterproofing is critical to the longevity of your new tub...

You'll get the best results from a pressure washer by following a few simple rules. The machine needs to be serviced regularly, including various oil changes. Correct operation of the pressure...

Tungsten inert gas--or TIG--welding uses a constant electric current to create the heat necessary to melt metal. In this form of welding, an inert gas such as argon is used to shield the tungsten...

Hang a rack in the kitchen for your pots and pans. This can create a beautiful display of high quality cookware or create additional storage space in a small kitchen. Depending upon your kitchen,...

Styrofoam can be finished to replicate nearly any surface from wood grain to brick to stone. The lightweight, easily sculpted material makes a flexible medium for many architectural details from...

If your concrete sidewalk has seen better days and you are considering replacing it, another option might be to pour a new layer of concrete over the old slab. This is a fairly simple process that...

When it comes to decorating and maintaining certain rooms of your home, you may need to drill a hole in concrete and cinder block walls. While this task isn't one for the typical set of hammer and...

Many homes have a door that features a glass element---it may be a porch door or a front door with a window. Because the glass is constantly exposed to the elements as well as the wear and tear of...

Screws in older devices or machinery, or screws frequently exposed to the environment or water, often have a buildup of corrosion which hinders their removal. Although some do it yourselfers may...

Fiberglass insulation can be tricky to work with. It is made up of tiny particles that can get into your skin pores and cause redness, irritation and itching. You also run the risk of inhaling...

Whether by accident or due to inferior equipment, many homeowners and hobbyists will experience the aggravation of having a screw get "rounded off" or worn so badly that a screwdriver will not...

Asbestos can be very dangerous. Health problems that may arise from asbestos exposure include mesothelioma and lung cancer. When you are attempting to identify asbestos in a building, you should...

Mold is a fungus that thrives on organic materials. Wood is just such a material, particularly if it has been exposed to water or high humidity. You can usually prevent mold from forming by...

Garage door hinges and rollers need to be replaced from time to time. You can replace them yourself once you know how. Garage door hinges increase in size on both sides of the garage door. The...

Grout is often less durable than the tile it supports, so it's normal to have to repair cracked or damaged grout before you need to replace your tiles. Repairing cracks is vital to keeping your...

A common problem in homes is a clogged sink or one that will not drain. Usually, the clog is in the waste trap, or P trap, so named because the pipe is shaped like a letter P. This pipe keeps...

Grout can deteriorate over time or become stained, particularly in high-use areas like a bathroom. To keep the tile surface looking clean and bright, you may need to refinish the tile surface with...

Bricks and mortar give a house strength to keep its inhabitants safe and sound from nature's moods. A brick-and-mortar home is known for its beauty, and has a rustic yet classic look. Brick is one...

Even with the best-laid tile surfaces, chances are good at some point you will need to make repairs. Replacing one tile is much easier than replacing the entire surface, so dealing with problems...

When building or remodeling a house, installing good windows can be an expensive investment. Many homeowners choose to do necessary periodic maintenance on their windows to avoid the cost and...

Tree roots growing into sewer pipes is a common and expensive problem. This occurs when there is a crack in the pipes and water vapor leaks into the soil. Any trees nearby will sense the water...